Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is "actively considering" declaring a drought, according to the head of the Department of Water Resources.

Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is "actively considering" declaring a drought, according to the head of the Department of Water Resources.

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Updated: 5:56 PM PST Jan 7, 2014

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WEBVTT A LOT OF COMPETING PRESSURES FOR THOSE TAX DOLLARS. THANK YOU. GOVERNOR BROWN IS MOVING CLOSER TO DECLARING A DROUGHT EMERGENCY IN OUR HE SAID THE GOVERNOR WANTS MORE INFORMATION BEFORE PULLING THE TRIGGER ON THAT. DAVID BIENICK IS LIVE RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT THE GOVERNORS WAITING FOR. GOOD AFTERNOON. THE SACRAMENTO RIVER IS ONE OF SEVERAL IN CALIFORNIA THAT IS RUNNING AT A RELATIVE TRICKLE RIGHT NOW AND IT COULD GO EVEN LOWER IF THE -- IF THE GOVERNOR DECLARES A DROUGHT. HIS ADMINISTRATION SAYS HE IS NOT READY. THE SIERRA NEVADA HAS A FIFTH OF THE SNOW IT NORMALLY DOES THIS TIME OF YEAR. MANY RESERVOIRS ARE AT THEIR LOWEST LEVEL IN THE FORECAST SHOWS NOTHING BUT MORE DRY WEATHER AHEAD. TODAY WATER OFFICIALS UPDATED THE FTA ON THE DRY CONDITIONS. GOVERNOR BROWN IS MOVING CLOSER TO PROCLAIMING AN OFFICIAL DROUGHT. THE NEED FOR A PROCLAMATION IS A HOT TOPIC HERE AT THE GOVERNOR WILL LIKELY -- TOPIC. THE GOVERNOR WILL LIKELY WAIT TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT A DROUGHT DECLARATION WOULD DO. TODAY IS MAKING SURE IF THERE IS ACTUALLY ACTION TO GO WITH IT. IT IS NOT JUST A SHOW. OFFICIAL SAID IT WOULD LIKELY BE EASIER TO MOVE WATER AND TO THE CENTRAL VALLEY WHERE IT IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF CROPS. IF THEY WANT MORE EVIDENCE, THAT IS FINE. BUT WITHOUT THE EXTRA NERI POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, OUR HANDS ARE GOING TO BE TIED. -- EXTRAORDINARY POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, OUR HANDS ARE GOING TO BE TIED. THEY COULD EASE THE RULES THAT REQUIRE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF W ATER GO THROUGH THE DELTA. WE WILL HAVE LESS WATER FLOWING THROUGH. AND OUR FISHERIES ARE ON THE PRECIPICE OF A COLLAPSE. PEOPLE FROM ALL ACROSS CALIFORNIA CAME TO THE MEETING IN SACRAMENTO AND SOME OF THEM SAID THEY WERE SURPRISED AND EVEN UPSET BY THE WAY WATER IS BEING USED IN SACRAMENTO, SPECIFICALLY AT THE STATE CAPITAL.

Drought closer to being declared for California

Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is "actively considering" declaring a drought, according to the head of the Department of Water Resources.